SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated: The United Nations Security Council recently, in an emergency meeting, condemned the Israeli regime’s attack on Doha and, in a joint statement, called for an immediate cessation of tensions and full respect for Qatar’s national sovereignty. This statement, issued by consensus of all 15 Security Council members, while declaring solidarity with Qatar and speaking about the victimization of civilians and the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, did not mention the Israeli regime by name; a silence that itself carries contradictory messages. In other words, this statement was more of a political message to Tel Aviv than a legally binding instrument against the Israeli regime, stating that the international community considers attacking peace mediators a red line. However, currently, there is no will to exert practical pressure on this regime.
Strategic Council Online: Adoption of a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the US-led peace deal with the Taliban means its international recognition but it has not yet become US internal law and has no executive guarantees.
Seyed Mostafa Hashemi – PhD in Geopolitics and Regional Affairs Expert
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated: The United Nations Security Council recently, in an emergency meeting, condemned the Israeli regime’s attack on Doha and, in a joint statement, called for an immediate cessation of tensions and full respect for Qatar’s national sovereignty. This statement, issued by consensus of all 15 Security Council members, while declaring solidarity with Qatar and speaking about the victimization of civilians and the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, did not mention the Israeli regime by name; a silence that itself carries contradictory messages. In other words, this statement was more of a political message to Tel Aviv than a legally binding instrument against the Israeli regime, stating that the international community considers attacking peace mediators a red line. However, currently, there is no will to exert practical pressure on this regime.
Strategic Council Online: Adoption of a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the US-led peace deal with the Taliban means its international recognition but it has not yet become US internal law and has no executive guarantees.
Seyed Mostafa Hashemi – PhD in Geopolitics and Regional Affairs Expert
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated: The United Nations Security Council recently, in an emergency meeting, condemned the Israeli regime’s attack on Doha and, in a joint statement, called for an immediate cessation of tensions and full respect for Qatar’s national sovereignty. This statement, issued by consensus of all 15 Security Council members, while declaring solidarity with Qatar and speaking about the victimization of civilians and the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, did not mention the Israeli regime by name; a silence that itself carries contradictory messages. In other words, this statement was more of a political message to Tel Aviv than a legally binding instrument against the Israeli regime, stating that the international community considers attacking peace mediators a red line. However, currently, there is no will to exert practical pressure on this regime.
Strategic Council Online: Adoption of a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the US-led peace deal with the Taliban means its international recognition but it has not yet become US internal law and has no executive guarantees.
Seyed Mostafa Hashemi – PhD in Geopolitics and Regional Affairs Expert
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated: The United Nations Security Council recently, in an emergency meeting, condemned the Israeli regime’s attack on Doha and, in a joint statement, called for an immediate cessation of tensions and full respect for Qatar’s national sovereignty. This statement, issued by consensus of all 15 Security Council members, while declaring solidarity with Qatar and speaking about the victimization of civilians and the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, did not mention the Israeli regime by name; a silence that itself carries contradictory messages. In other words, this statement was more of a political message to Tel Aviv than a legally binding instrument against the Israeli regime, stating that the international community considers attacking peace mediators a red line. However, currently, there is no will to exert practical pressure on this regime.
Strategic Council Online: Adoption of a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the US-led peace deal with the Taliban means its international recognition but it has not yet become US internal law and has no executive guarantees.
Seyed Mostafa Hashemi – PhD in Geopolitics and Regional Affairs Expert
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated: The United Nations Security Council recently, in an emergency meeting, condemned the Israeli regime’s attack on Doha and, in a joint statement, called for an immediate cessation of tensions and full respect for Qatar’s national sovereignty. This statement, issued by consensus of all 15 Security Council members, while declaring solidarity with Qatar and speaking about the victimization of civilians and the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, did not mention the Israeli regime by name; a silence that itself carries contradictory messages. In other words, this statement was more of a political message to Tel Aviv than a legally binding instrument against the Israeli regime, stating that the international community considers attacking peace mediators a red line. However, currently, there is no will to exert practical pressure on this regime.
Strategic Council Online: Adoption of a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the US-led peace deal with the Taliban means its international recognition but it has not yet become US internal law and has no executive guarantees.
Seyed Mostafa Hashemi – PhD in Geopolitics and Regional Affairs Expert
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated: The United Nations Security Council recently, in an emergency meeting, condemned the Israeli regime’s attack on Doha and, in a joint statement, called for an immediate cessation of tensions and full respect for Qatar’s national sovereignty. This statement, issued by consensus of all 15 Security Council members, while declaring solidarity with Qatar and speaking about the victimization of civilians and the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, did not mention the Israeli regime by name; a silence that itself carries contradictory messages. In other words, this statement was more of a political message to Tel Aviv than a legally binding instrument against the Israeli regime, stating that the international community considers attacking peace mediators a red line. However, currently, there is no will to exert practical pressure on this regime.
Strategic Council Online: Adoption of a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the US-led peace deal with the Taliban means its international recognition but it has not yet become US internal law and has no executive guarantees.
Seyed Mostafa Hashemi – PhD in Geopolitics and Regional Affairs Expert
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.
Strategic Council Online – Interview: An international affairs expert stated: The United Nations Security Council recently, in an emergency meeting, condemned the Israeli regime’s attack on Doha and, in a joint statement, called for an immediate cessation of tensions and full respect for Qatar’s national sovereignty. This statement, issued by consensus of all 15 Security Council members, while declaring solidarity with Qatar and speaking about the victimization of civilians and the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, did not mention the Israeli regime by name; a silence that itself carries contradictory messages. In other words, this statement was more of a political message to Tel Aviv than a legally binding instrument against the Israeli regime, stating that the international community considers attacking peace mediators a red line. However, currently, there is no will to exert practical pressure on this regime.
Strategic Council Online: Adoption of a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the US-led peace deal with the Taliban means its international recognition but it has not yet become US internal law and has no executive guarantees.
Seyed Mostafa Hashemi – PhD in Geopolitics and Regional Affairs Expert
SCFR Online – Opinion: The simultaneity of pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has turned the geography of energy and shipping into a new arena for the emergence of new risks, costs, and leverage.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Makkah Pact, signed on August 7, 2026, between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, is more than an answer to geopolitical vacuums; in practice, it faces a “deterrence dilemma” and “differing threat perception.” While this pact symbolizes a transition toward regional self-reliance, its first field tests and the complexities of relations with regional actors will determine its real meaning.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The reason for Washington’s reluctance to enter directly into war with Ansarullah is military and economic limitations, electoral considerations, and concern about the expansion of the crisis at two energy chokepoints.
SCFR Online – Opinion: Ansarullah’s recent lightning-fast operation and surprise advances on Yemen’s western coast have rapidly transformed the equations of the war in that country and developments in West Asia, and have challenged the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the West, and the Israeli regime.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The intensification of U.S. sanctions against Iran on the eve of the U.S. midterm elections indicates Washington’s inability to achieve its war objectives.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The competition between Washington and Beijing over chips and artificial intelligence, simultaneously with the shifting of technological balances, has taken on new economic and security dimensions.
SCFR Online – Opinion: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit has created a new opportunity for Iran to transform its membership from a political achievement into economic and transit cooperation.
Strategic Council Online – Note: The Makkah Defense Pact can be seen as a sign of regional countries’ efforts to reduce security dependence on extra-regional powers and redefine the balance in West Asia.